Device for maintaining structural elements at a distance from one another

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for maintaining structural elements at a distance from one another for the purpose of reinforcing concrete, said device taking the form of a disk which is formed from a single piece, preferably by means of injection moulding, using a plastic resin such as high-density polyethylene. According to the invention, the structural element is positioned along the central axis of the device and the element is inserted through a reinforced radial hole which extends from the centre of the device to one of the ends thereof, said two parts being fixed with corresponding fixing elements following the insertion of the structural element. The inventive device enables greater concrete continuity, with a larger available space for the concrete, thereby reducing the interface coefficient. The design of the central ring confers increased strength and stability in order to maintain the structural reinforcement inside same and, consequently, ensure a good performance, by reducing the mechanical advantage of the perimeter against the central axis. In addition, savings are made in terms of resources since the installation and reinforcement time is reduced

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to devices for the spacing ofstructural elements for reinforcing concrete, of the type with disc formwhere the structural element is located inside and throughout thecentral axis of the device, and in special, to one of such devices inwhich the insertion of the structural element is made by a radialopening that goes from the center of the device to one of its ends, withelements to hold and close of the two parts once the structural elementin the central axis has been inserted, so that it forms an element orclosed circular device, that maintains the steel of reinforcementcentered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, devices are described that have functions ofseparation between constructive elements or between them and somelimiting surface. A special case is that to which the present inventiongoes, where a device serves to distance to a structural element of thewalls or surfaces of containment the concrete. Some examples of thedevelopments that are at the moment in the prior art, are describedbriefly next and must be taken as reference.

Gavin, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,787 (Gavin, 1994) describes a devicemolded in rigid plastic, as a single piece, essentially circular formed,used in concrete constructions as spacer element in the reinforcementbar; it consists of two sections connected in one end to a hinge, andheld by a pawl in the other end. The bar subjects in the center of thewheel by means of a pair of seats, located one in each section of thewheel. A column together with one of the sections between the seats andthe hinge avoids that the bar slipping.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,785 (Cloud, 1996) it is described a spacermounted on a lateral bar of a reinforcing cage the spacer includes apair of wheel members adjustable between themselves—in a rotatablerelation, mounted on one of the cage's bars to form the spacer. As thereinforcement cage is coupled and turns along the lateral wall of thewell. Coupling with the wall of the drilled well, centers the cage inthe drilled well and maintains it in centered position while the well ispoured.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,938 (Gavin, 2002) it is described how a pair ofcurved arms are attached to a body to form an annular seat to support afirst diameter of a bar; there is a slit trough the external diameter ofthe body, which forms a radial entrance path towards the seat; the seatoffers a spring movement towards the bar.

In other fields, specifically in that of the elongated elementssupports, some documents are found describing interesting developmentsin the way to fasten circular cross-section elements.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,215 (Freier, 1992) it is described a fastener fortube or duct which includes a plated formed base, a pair of archedsegments, two rotatable supports connecting the two segments with thebase in an intermediate point in respect of the ends, to divide thesegments of a belt in one peripheral internal part and one peripheralexternal part; serrated tongues coupling between themselves to closewith the peripheral ends of the belt, to fit them around the duct ortube. The closing tongues in the external peripheral part of one of thesegments, cover a plurality of external teeth and the closing tongues inthe external peripheral part of the other segment cover a plurality ofinternal teeth, in a way that when the closing tongues fit around theduct or tube, the belts are symmetrical with the tube or duct axissupported.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,351 (Wenk, 1980) it is described a staple whichsecurely supports an object to another, as for support a tubing orsimilar elements with a flexible strap; includes an annular strap withan open end having a pair of members attachable one to another andopposite, located in the open ends. One of the attachable membersgenerally includes a teethed jaw and an internal arm radially spaceddefining a entrance. There are a pair of supporting arms locatedradially between the arms at the end of the jaw and opposite to theentrance.

Application and use of the elements as described in the prior artpatents, and subject matter of this invention, date back long time ago,once traditionally this type of circular spacers for foundation piles orwalls, or for certain types of walls, are used to be made in one piece,pouring concrete or some melted plastic materials in olds designed adhoc and habilitated in situ.

Function of this type of accessories has been always to place one ofthem in one of the circular bars or “brace support”, perpendicular tothe bars that constitute the main steel and located longitudinally inthe cage or reinforced steel, in a way for the disc rotate when thestructure is introduced into the perforation or form, and it can couplewith the external wall of the excavated well, in order to the spacerdisc center the cage within the excavated well and maintain it in suchcentered position while the well is poured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device subject matter of this invention is an spacer or separatorelement essentially in a disc form, with a hole or central axis thatwhen it is closed forms a ring or open cylinder whose walls conforms tothe geometry of an structural elongated member passing through it;preferably with circular cross-section although it can have any othergeometry.

Function of the device of the invention is to separate the structuralelement in a determined distance to achieve a cover or concrete layerequal to the radial distance between the central axis and the surface ofthe external ring of the device, or from any other object such as thesurface or wall of the perforation or form.

Different to other devices in the prior art, the device of the inventionis made in one single piece, injection molded from a plastic resin suchas but not limited to high density polyethylene (HDP), and it is formedby two semicircles joined in one of their common ends taking advantageof the properties of the raw material, by means of a flexibleintegration that interacts similar to a hinge; this one-piece designoffers a higher stability and strength as well as an easierinstallation, with savings on labor and costs because it has up to 20%less raw materials, permits the separation and closing of the oppositeends of the semicircles, which have reception elements that permit theirfixation or embrace the structural element when it is introduced throughsaid opening to locate on the central axis of the device, on thereception elements preferably formed as to the structural elementprofile and located en the central zone of the device; both semicirclesare closed forming a ring or shaft pillow on the structural element andthey are fixed in position by means of attachment complementary elementsdisposed on both straight sides of the slit, producing the final discshaped form to the device. The device of the invention has as aimportant feature that when it is closed, at the central axis, cylinderor shaft pillow, it does not fasten the steel, but it can rotate aroundthe structural element as an axis; this freedom to rotate permits to thedevice to displace along the walls of any type of direct perforations inthe soil, some of them without even walls or surfaces, so when the pileor wall is being introduced in the perforation or form, it maintains themetallic structure centered within the perforation, correctly locatingthe structure and assuring a minimal required concrete coating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Regarding the problems found in this technical field, it is necessary toachieve a development with the following objectives:

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for spacing of aelongated element such as a reinforcement bar or structural element,from a reference surface such as the surface of a perforation or that ofthe form, or that of the adjacent wall designated to retain concrete;said device being made in one-piece, preferably configured with disc orring shape, wherein the structural element is located inside a elongatedring or interior shaft pillow at the center of the device, and thedistance to the reference surface is determined by the radial distancefrom the center towards the external surface of an external disc orring.

It is another object of this invention that the spacer device contains aseries of elements to coupling of the two sections that conform it, thatprovide high stability to the device once it is closed, avoidingdeformation and sliding of the coupling sections, assuring uniformity inthe longitude of the distance between the structural element and thesurface of reference when the device is in use.

It is yet another object of this invention that the spacer device iseasy to integrate to a reinforcement structure, when said device isincorporated on the structural element, passing it through a radialopening to the device and closing the device around the structuralelement; as well as to center or locate the whole structure when it isinstalled or introduced in the perforation to attain predeterminedconcrete coatings on said structural element.

It is a additional objective of this invention that the spacer devicehas a plurality of holes between an interior support ring for thestructural element and an exterior ring, permitting the pass of concreteand aggregates through said holes.

It is another further object of this invention to provide a spacerdevice for structural element with respect to a reference surface, withan incremented resistance with respect to other devices on the art,because the gradual increment of width of the device from the externalring towards the internal ring, where it reaches the maximum width.

Other objects and advantages will be evident for a person skilled in theart, in view of the description and illustrative drawings following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In order to have a better comprehension of the description of thisinvention, it must be read jointly with the figures annexed, whichillustrates a preferred embodiment on the invention and where similarelements maintain the same numerical reference in all of them.

FIG. 1 is a upper plain view of a first embodiment of the disc of theinvention, in a closed or use position, showing its constitutiveelements,

FIG. 2 is a simple perspective view of the first embodiment of the discof the invention in its position on no-use or open,

FIG. 3 is a simple perspective view of the first embodiment of the discof the invention in its position of use or closed,

FIG. 4 is a upper plain view of a second embodiment of the disc of theinvention, in position of no-use or open, showing its constitutiveelements,

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the second embodiment of the disc of theinvention in its no-use or open position, from the entrance entrance

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the second embodiment of the disc of theinvention in its no-use or open position, taken from the opposite sideto the entrance, i. e. from the union flexible zone,

FIG. 7 is a simple perspective view of the second embodiment of the discof the invention in its no-use or open position,

FIG. 8 is a upper plane view of a third embodiment of the disc of theinvention, with external protrusions diminishing the contact points,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device of the invention, in its useposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following is a more detailed description of the invention, taking asreference the annexed figures which pretend to be illustrative of thefeatures of the invention, and which must no to be considered limitativeof the different modifications that can be obvious to a person skilledin the art, in view of this description.

Referring the FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of a deviceincorporating the features of this invention, it is view that the device(100) is constituted by an external ring (110) essentially shaped as aright cylinder, an internal ring (120) essentially shaped as a rightcylinder too, located concentrically with respect to the external ring(110) and it is maintained in this concentric relation by means of aplurality of union elements (180) being essentially fasteners harpoonshaped, which trap between them, with constant width, going from theexternal face of the internal ring (120) to the internal face of theexternal ring (110).

The set of external ring (110), internal ring (120) and the plurality ofunion elements, determine a set of holes (160) whose geometricconfiguration is determined basically by the walls of the union elements(180), the external face of the internal ring (120) and the internalface of the external ring (110), but it can be altered adding areinforcement surface (190), plain and transversal to the semicircles.

The set (100) is divided into two sections essentially semicircular by adiametrical sectional line (130) dividing the internal ring (120)totally, the external ring (110) exclusively in one end of the diameterand the reinforcement surface (190) on said diameter, maintaining bothsemicircular sections joined together by an area of uncut material inthe external ring (110), a flexible zone (170) that functions as a hingeto permit the opening and closing of said semicircular sections, asshown in FIG. 2, where it can be observed that the edges of thediametrical sectional line (130) form a entrance or opening towards theinternal ring (120). Hereinafter the numeral (130) will be used to referto the sectional line (130) as well as the entrance determined by it.

It is observed from the FIGS. 1 to 3 that the interior FACE of theexternal ring (110) defining the flexible zone (170) lacks of areinforcing surface (160) to guarantee precisely the flexibility of suchzone.

Device (100) is then designed to an elongated structural element such asa metallic rod or similar reinforcement element, preferably with but notlimited to circular cross-section, can pass through the entrance (130)when the device is in open or not-use position, up to the hollow spacedefined by the internal ring (120); once the elongated element is in itssite, the device is closed by blending the flexible zone (170) as forthe opposite ends of the entrance (130) are proximal.

Once the device is in its site, it is evident that the structuralelement occupy just the center of that, and said structural element willbe always a distance at least equal to the longitude between itsexternal surface and that of the external ring (110), with respect toany surface of reference in contact with said external face of theexternal ring (110). Because it is not necessary that the elongatedelement has a diametrical measure such that fits in the internal ring(120), the device maintains a rotate relation around its own axis, thatcoincide with the longitudinal axis of the elongated element inside;this feature is very useful even when, i. e. a metallic structure madeby a plurality of structural elements disposed like a mesh must slide ina perforation such as a well drilled directly in the soil, wherein aplurality of devices as that of the invention, are distributed in therebar cage or reinforcement cage or metal reinforcement structure insuch a way that they function as casters to facilitate the displacementof the set, and once this is in its final position, guarantee that thestructural elements associated are at a predefined distance from thewalls of said well.

To assure that the device is maintained in its position with respect tothe elongated element or rod located in its center, the device has aplurality of coupling and fastening means, said coupling means beingconstituted by a first hook engage able to a second hook (receptor)located preferably in the following way:

-   1. two of the first hooks (150) are formed from the same material as    the device, as prolongations of the ends of the semicircle that will    form the internal ring (120), being located proximal to one of the    most external edges of the cylinder defined by said internal ring    (120), and being opposite between them (front to front);-   2. two of the second hooks (151) (receptors) are formed from the    same material as the device, as prolongations of the ends of the    semicircle that will form the internal ring (120), located in the    ends of the semicircular section opposite to the first hooks, and in    a operable relation with those; coupling means (150) and (151)    occupy just the most external portion proximal to the edges of the    cylinder defined by the internal ring (120), and it is apparent from    FIGS. 1 to 3 in symmetrical relation; the receptor hooks (151) are    limited towards the mean part of the external surface of the    cylinder determined by the internal ring (120), by the body of the    union elements (180) corresponding to the position of said receptor    hooks (151) as for said union elements (180) determine a stop for    the respective union elements (180). Similarly, in the other face of    the device are distinguished:-   3. two of the first hooks (150) are formed from the same material as    the device, as prolongations of the ends of the semicircle that will    form the internal ring (120), being located proximal to one of the    most external edges of the cylinder defined by said internal ring    (120), and being opposite between them (front to front);-   4. two of the second hooks (151) (receptors) are formed from the    same material as the device, as prolongations of the ends of the    semicircle that will form the internal ring (120), located in the    ends of the semicircular section opposite to the first hooks, and in    a operable relation with those; it is apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3    that the hooks (150) of the second face are located in the same    semicircular section that the receptor hooks (151) of the first face    and vice versa. In such a way, not any of the pairs of hooks (150),    (151) conforming the coupling means, can make a displacement in the    longitudinal direction relative to the rotation axis of the device    in any direction; moreover, because the symmetric disposition in two    planes, practically it is impossible that the coupling means are    unnoticeable detached and they just can be detached applying a force    with magnitude and direction appropriate on the four pairs of hooks    simultaneously. All of this offers the set a superior stability in    its configuration with respect to devices known in the art.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, it is observed that thedevice (200) is made in the same way that in the first embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, with an external ring (210) essentiallyright-cylinder shaped, an internal ring (220) essentially right-cylindershaped too, located concentrically in relation to the external ring(210), maintained in such concentric relation by means of a plurality ofunion elements (280) essentially formed by constant width strips goingfrom the external face of the internal ring (220) towards the internalface of the external ring (210). However, in this embodiment, the widthof the union elements (280) increases from the external ring (210) up toits maximum in the contact line with the internal ring (220); thisincrement in width in the vicinity of the elongated element increase thestability of the device in the structure once it is coupled to saidelongated element.

The set of external ring (210), internal ring (220) and the plurality ofunion elements, determine a set of holes (260), whose final geometricalconfiguration is basically determined by the walls of the union elements(280), the external face of the internal ring (220) and the internalface of the external ring (210), but it can be altered by adding areinforcement surface (290), as described before in relation to thefirst embodiment. In the illustrated example said holes (260) arepreferably circular, except those respective to the opening or entrance(230). In the illustrated embodiment, a parallel rib is added to thesection (290) or, in the same direction that semicircles, obtaininghigher rigidity for superior diameter models.

The external ring has a flexible zone (270) too, permitting a hingedmovement for both semicircular sections, which when the device is in useposition, close around the elongated element to the device operates asspacer.

It is appreciated in FIGS. 4 to 7 that the internal face of the externalring (210) defining the flexible zone (270), lacks a reinforcementsurface (260) to guarantee precisely the flexibility in that zone.

Similarly to the first illustrated embodiment, the device of the secondembodiment incorporates a plurality of coupling elements (250), (251),cooperative one to another and symmetrically disposed in the ends of thesemicircles of the internal ring (220), diametrically as well as withrespect to medium plane passing through the device. Coupling elements(240), (241) are present too in the opposite ends of the entrance (230).It must be noted that the symmetry with respect to the medium plane ofthe device is better shown in FIG. 7, with respect to the coupling means(240), (241) in the external ring (210) and (250) and (251) in theinternal ring (220).

In FIG. 8 it is illustrated a third embodiment (300) of the devicesubject matter of this invention. In the figure, the external surface ofthe external ring (310) is covered by a plurality of protrusions towardsthe exterior of the device (300), equidistant between them, so as to thecontact with the surface of reference is limited to the end of suchprotrusions. This is useful in those cases in which the concretefinished surface requires a minimal evidence of the spacer's material.Protrusions can have practically any form but they are preferred thoseprofiles in which the contact area with the reference surface be aminimum, i. e. truncated triangles (trapezoids) or rectangular or oblongprotrusions.

Finally, in FIG. 9 it is show a scheme on how to dispose the device ofthis invention in its use position, illustrating on the base of thefirst embodiment of this invention, in which just a few elements arenumerically referred as in the previous figures, it seems clearly in thefigure that the elongated structural element is located in the centralring hole, without touching its walls in a tight mode, so the device canfreely rotate around said elongated structural element, maintaining adistance with the external wall of the external ring, practicallyconstant, further permitting that a complete structure can slide on thewalls of, i. e. a form or the walls of a well, using the spacers of theinvention as casters, ensuring the final position of said structure at apredetermined distance from the surface of reference.

Even that the qualities and advantages of this invention have beendescribed on the basis of the illustrations of three preferredembodiments, it should be understood that those modifications a personskilled in the art could realize in the illustrated embodiments, will bewithin the scope of the invention that must be understood in view of thefollowing claims.

1. A spacer device, to establish a predetermined distance between anelongated structural member i. e. a steel rod, part of a structure forreinforcement of a concrete body, and a wall or reference surface, whenthe reinforcement structure is prepared, said device comprising: a. Anexternal ring and an internal ring, wherein said external ring and saidinternal ring are diametrically divided forming each one two sectionsessentially semicircular shaped, b. A plurality of union elementsconnecting said essentially semicircular sections of the external ringwith said essentially semicircular sections of the internal ring, in aconcentric relation, c. A flexible zone for union between saidessentially semicircular sections located in a common end and formed bythe extension of the wall of the essentially semicircular sections ofthe external ring, d. An opening or entrance through which thestructural element to be spaced is going to be passed, formed by thefree end of the set of essentially semicircular sections, opposite tothe flexible union zone between said essentially semicircular sections,and e. Coupling and fastening means to fasten and maintain fastened thetwo essentially semicircular sections once the set is closed on thestructural element to be spaced, said coupling and fastening means beingprotrusions from the device material itself and being in ainter-coupling relation; Wherein said device is made in one piecepreferably trough injection molding from a plastic resin such as, butnot limited to, high density polyethylene; and wherein in order toseparate an elongated structural element with respect to a referencesurface, the elongated structural element is slid trough said opening orentrance, so as to occupy the space between both semicircular sections,occupying the space determined by the internal ring of the device whenthe device is closed around the structural element; and wherein saiddevice it is maintained in closed position by action of the coupling andfastening means in both sides of the opening or entrance and in the endsof the semicircular sections, being the coupling and fastening meansconfigured in such a way that the correspondent elements in eachsemicircular section cooperate themselves to fix, close and fasten,avoiding the unnoticed opening of the device as well as the sliding ofsaid coupling means among them and in any direction, substantiallyincreasing the stability of the device once it is closed in its useposition.
 2. A spacer device, according to claim 1, wherein in eachsemicircular section, the external ring, the internal ring and theplurality of elements joining them, show spaces, preferably round shapedor alveolar shaped to permit the pass through said spaces of theconcrete and its aggregates.
 3. A spacer device, according to claim 1,wherein said device has a bilateral symmetry with respect to the planetrough the center of the device, perpendicular to the axial axis.
 4. Aspacer device, according to claim 1, wherein the internal ring of saiddevice has a bilateral symmetry with respect to the plane diametricallycutting the device, perpendicular to the diameter determining the deviceentrance.
 5. A spacer device, according to claim 1, wherein a first setof coupling means is located in the ends of the semicircles of theinternal ring in each semicircular section.
 6. A spacer device,according to claim 1, wherein a second set of coupling means is locatedin the ends of the semicircles of the external ring in each semicircularsection, opposite to said flexible zone.
 7. A spacer device, accordingto claim 1, wherein the width of the external ring is equal to the widthof the internal ring.
 8. A spacer device, according to claim 1, whereinthe width of the external ring is minor to the width of the internalring, and wherein the width of the union elements between said internaland external rings, increases uniformly from the external ring towardsthe internal ring.
 9. A spacer device, according to claim 1, wherein theexternal surface of said external ring further shows a plurality ofprotrusions at regular intervals, diminishing the points of contact withthe surface of reference, permitting a reduction of exposition ofmaterial of the device, making it appropriate to use when the externalappearance of the finished surface is important.
 10. A spacer device,according to claim 9, wherein said protrusions have a essentiallytrapezoidal cross section with their minor bases towards the exterior ofthe ring.
 11. A spacer device, according to claim 9, wherein saidprotrusions have a essentially triangular cross section with theirvertices towards the exterior of the ring.
 12. A spacer device,according to claim 9, wherein said protrusions have a essentiallyrectangular cross section with a narrow side towards the exterior of thering.